Su Jianguo rented a small boat and took his whole family for a ride on the lake.
Grandma Wang clung tightly to the gunwale, feeling both frightened and excited.
"Wow, this water looks really deep!"
At noon, they ate authentic Beijing cuisine at a restaurant inside the park.
Su Jianguo ordered roast duck, Kung Pao chicken, deep-fried meatballs, and braised pork belly, which is tender and flavorful and a favorite among the elderly.
Grandpa Wang sipped his wine, his face glowing.
"I wouldn't trade this life for a god!"
The next day, they went to Tiananmen Square again.
Standing beneath the majestic city gate, Old Mrs. Wang looked up, her hat falling to the ground.
"My goodness, this city wall is incredibly tall!"
Su Jianguo smiled as he picked up the hat and put it on his mother-in-law. He then paid a photographer to take a family photo in the square.
In the photo, two elderly people wearing brand-new cotton-padded coats stand in the middle, with Su Jianguo and Wang Xiulan standing on either side. Su Yufen stands next to her mother and Su Yuzhen, holding Xiao Mao, while Da Mao playfully rides on Su Mingfu's shoulders.
Everyone's face was beaming with happiness.
On the third day at noon, Su Jianguo heard from Su Mingfu that the mutton hot pot at Donglaishun was especially delicious.
He immediately brought his whole family to Donglaishun.
"Dad, the hot pot lamb here is delicious!"
Su Mingfu said excitedly.
"The lamb slices are so thin you can see through them; dipped in sesame sauce, they're incredibly delicious!"
Donglaishun's decor was considered one of the best in Beijing at the time.
The mahogany tables and chairs were polished to a shine, and the walls were adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. Each table was set with an exquisite copper hot pot.
Grandpa Wang was stunned as soon as he entered the door, and his footsteps unconsciously became lighter.
The waiter led them into a private room, where Su Jianguo took the menu and began ordering with great gusto.
"Three plates of hand-cut mutton, two plates of fatty beef, one serving of tripe, and some greens and tofu..."
"Enough, enough!"
Grandma Wang quickly waved her hand.
"We can't possibly finish all this food!"
"Mom, it's a rare occasion for you to come, so please eat as much as you like."
Su Jianguo said with a smile.
"Mingfu, go and get a bottle of good wine. I'll have a couple of drinks with Dad."
The steaming copper pot was quickly brought out, with a few goji berries and red dates floating in the clear broth.
The waiter skillfully placed the paper-thin slices of mutton into the pot, and they changed color with just a light dip.
"Here, Dad, have a taste."
Su Jianguo picked up a piece of mutton, dipped it in the sesame sauce, and put it in his father-in-law's bowl.
Grandpa Wang took a small bite cautiously, and his eyes widened immediately.
"Wow, this meat is so tender! There's not a hint of gamey smell!"
"This is the Small-tailed Han sheep from Inner Mongolia."
Su Jianguo explained.
"They grow by feeding on special kinds of grass, resulting in exceptionally tender flesh."
Grandma Wang picked up a piece of cabbage and put it into the pot, sighing.
"These cabbages are sweeter than the ones in our village!"
During the meal, Su Jianguo frequently served food and poured drinks for the two elderly people.
After a few drinks, Old Master Wang became more talkative.
"Jianguo, your mother and I have lived a worthwhile life; we can still enjoy this blessing in our old age..."
As he spoke, the old man's eyes welled up with tears.
Wang Xiulan quickly handed her father a handkerchief.
"Dad, why are you saying all this? We have a long life ahead of us."
"that is."
Su Jianguo raised his glass.
"Come, Father, let me toast you. You two can rest assured and stay in Beijing. Xiulan and I will definitely take good care of you."
The meal was a great success, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.
As she was leaving, Mrs. Wang looked at the many dishes still left on the table and said with a pang of regret.
"It's such a waste to throw away so much good food."
"Mom, I've already had it packed up."
Wang Xiulan shook the oil paper package in her hand.
"You can reheat it and eat it at night."
By the time we left Donglaishun, it was already getting dark.
The early winter evening breeze was chilly, but the family ate their meal and felt warm all over, chatting and laughing as they walked home along the street.
Just then, Su Mingfu, who had sharp eyes, suddenly shouted.
"Big brother!"
Everyone followed his gaze.
Across the street, a young man dressed in tattered work clothes and covered in sawdust was walking briskly with his head down.
Hearing the shout, the man looked up sharply, revealing a haggard face. It was Su Mingqiang, the eldest son of the Su family.
Su Mingqiang clearly hadn't expected to run into his family here, and he froze on the spot.
His gaze moved from his father's brand-new woolen overcoat to his mother's brand-new cotton-padded jacket, then to the two elderly people's rosy faces, and finally landed on his younger brother and sister's clean and tidy clothes.
And what about himself?
His dusty work clothes were covered in sawdust and paint, his hair was messy, and there was a fresh scratch on his face. He was carrying a tattered cloth bag containing cornmeal he had just bought from the grain store.
Su Mingqiang's face flushed red, and he instinctively turned to leave.
"Mingqiang!"
Wang Xiulan called out to her son, her voice filled with heartache.
Su Mingqiang reluctantly crossed the road and walked to his family with his head down.
"Father, Mother."
His voice was very soft and lacked confidence.
Su Jianguo snorted coldly.
"Didn't you see your maternal grandparents?"
Su Mingqiang then noticed the two elderly people standing behind him and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Grandma! Grandpa! When did you arrive?"
"I've been here for a few days now."
Grandpa Wang looked at his grandson with a furrowed brow.
"Mingqiang, how come you... have lost so much weight?"
Su Mingqiang looked uncomfortably at his dirty clothes.
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